Translation guide
In Japanese, apologies range from casual 'sorry' to formal expressions of deep regret. The choice depends on the situation, relationship, and severity. Common words include ごめんなさい (casual/semi-formal), すみません (apology + thanks), and 申し訳ありません (formal). Bowing often accompanies verbal apologies.
Saying 'sorry' for minor mistakes or inconveniences among friends, family, or close colleagues.
Very casual, used with close friends, family, or children. Not for superiors or formal situations.
ごめん、遅れた！
Sorry I'm late!
Semi-casual to polite. Safe for most everyday situations with acquaintances or when you want to sound a bit more polite than ごめん.
ごめんなさい、忘れちゃった。
Sorry, I forgot.
Very casual, mainly used by men. Literally means 'bad', but used like 'my bad'.
悪い、ちょっと手が離せない。
Sorry, I'm a bit busy right now.
Casual, masculine, somewhat old-fashioned. Similar to 悪い but less common.
すまん、待たせたな。
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Apologizing in daily life to strangers, colleagues, or in service situations. Also used to get attention or express gratitude.
The most versatile apology. Used for minor offenses, to get someone's attention (like 'excuse me'), or to express thanks when someone has done something for you. Not for serious mistakes.
すみません、道を教えていただけますか？
Excuse me, could you tell me the way?
すみません、ちょっと通してください。
Sorry, please let me through.
A more casual, colloquial pronunciation of すみません. Common in spoken Japanese but slightly less polite.
すいません、遅くなりました。
Sorry I'm late.
Apologizing in professional settings, to customers, or for significant mistakes. Shows deep regret and responsibility.
Standard formal apology. Literally 'I have no excuse.' Used in business, customer service, and formal situations.
ご迷惑をおかけして、申し訳ありません。
I apologize for the inconvenience.
Even more polite than 申し訳ありません. Used in very formal business settings, especially with customers.
大変申し訳ございません。すぐに確認いたします。
I am terribly sorry. I will check right away.
Very formal, often used in written apologies or official statements. Literally 'I humbly apologize.'
この度はご迷惑をおかけし、深くお詫び申し上げます。
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused this time.
Used for minor breaches of etiquette, like interrupting or leaving early. Less weighty than 申し訳ありません.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Used in official letters, emails, or public statements. Conveys deep remorse and formality.
Formal written apology, often used in business correspondence. Literally 'I express my apology.'
ご不便をおかけしましたことを、深く陳謝いたします。
We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Very formal, often used in official apologies by companies or public figures. Implies admission of wrongdoing.
当社の不手際を深く謝罪いたします。
We deeply apologize for our company's mishandling.
Expressing deep regret for a significant error or hurt caused to someone close.
Sincere, heartfelt apology. Adding 本当に (truly) emphasizes remorse. Suitable for personal relationships.
本当にごめんなさい。許してください。
I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me.
Literally 'I want to apologize.' Used to express the desire to make amends.
君に謝りたいことがあるんだ。
There's something I want to apologize to you for.
Responding when someone apologizes to you.
Casual 'it's okay'. Used with friends.
A: ごめん！ B: いいよ。
A: Sorry! B: It's okay.
Polite 'it's fine/no problem'. Used in most situations.
A: すみません。 B: 大丈夫ですよ。
A: I'm sorry. B: It's fine.
Casual 'don't worry about it'.
気にしないで、大したことじゃないから。
Don't worry about it, it's no big deal.
ごめんなさい is more personal and implies fault. すみません is broader: it can be an apology, a thank-you, or a way to get attention. In many daily situations, すみません is more natural than ごめんなさい when interacting with strangers or in service contexts.
すみません、これいくらですか？
Excuse me, how much is this?
ごめんなさい、壊しちゃった。
I'm sorry, I broke it.
Using 申し訳ございません for minor things can sound sarcastic or overly stiff. Reserve it for serious mistakes or very formal settings. In casual contexts, ごめん or すみません is more appropriate.
In Japan, a verbal apology is often accompanied by a bow. The depth and duration of the bow reflect the level of apology. A slight nod for casual ごめん, a 30-degree bow for すみません, and a deep 45-70 degree bow for formal apologies.
Also used in semi-formal contexts, but すみません is more common for apologies to strangers or in service settings.
ごめんなさい、お待たせしました。
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.